Jaeger-LeCoultre

It seems that JLC has a soft spot for the Tourbillon, or should I say Tourbillons?

Since 1993 and the birth of the Reverso Tourbillon, Jaeger-LeCoultre has shown many different expressions of this " sophisticatiion in Time ".

The Reverso Tourbillon:



We can say that since 2004, La Grande Maison, regularly, created something around the Tourbillon.

In 2004, we had two extraodinary watches, the Reverso Platinum Nr Two, and the exclusive Gyrotourbillon one:





The interesting date for the novelty we're speaking about, here, is 2006, the year JLC unveiled the Master Tourbillon.

It was a risky challenge, for the brand and for the Tourbillon.

Why? Simple. JLC released an " affordable " Tourbillon in Stainless Steel, around 30 000 Euros, at this time.

Who else made a serious Tourbillon in this category of price???

OK, the finish could be better, as well as the decoration, but it was and still is a very serious Tourbillon, so serious that it won the Chronometry Contest in December 2009!

The evidence by the picture: The winner on the document which proves that it won the award:



A view on the Cal 982:



Since 2006, JLC introduced several iterations of the Master Tourbillon, all sharing the same case, but in different diameters ( from 41, 5 mm to 43 mm, and last year, a downsize to 39 mm ) and the same principle ( Tourbillon + Date ).

The Master Grand Tourbillon ( 43 mm ) :



The Master Date Tourbillon ( 39 mm ) :



Only one came without the date, but it is another story: The Master Tourbillon " Continents, with its awesome enamel dial:



That being said and reminded, let's see the new " opus " unveiled this year...

Here is the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon!



" Ultra Thin ", I wouldn't say that, as the case is 11, 3 mm high for a diameter of 40 mm.

11, 3 mm cannot be qualified as an Ultra Thin case, for sure, but the case is borrowed to the Master Grande Ultra Thin, which explains the denomination.

BUT elegant yes.

Here we go a step toward elegance, with some delicously profiled lugs, and a pure dial, with nothing else than applied indexes and the tourbillon cage, which will be available in Rose Gold, only, even if we can expect some further developments in noble white metal cases.

An sober ode to the Tourbillon, which remains as reliable and accurate as its predecessor. the Cal 978 ( Cal 982, in for the Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon, to be complete ).





One more evidence that JLC is going down in size, which is not anymore a tendance, but a reality.

You know what?

I love that!

Looking forward to reading your comments and thoughts,

Best.

Nicolas. This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-03-01 00:11:38 This message has been edited by amanico on 2012-03-03 05:36:36

What a great selection to enjoy.

I will follow with some feb-29/mar 1 pictures to follow for midnight post.

Thanks for sharing these novelties. 

I am looking forward to more.

A+

Bill

Yes, this is an excellent idea, my friend. Please do so!

Best,

Nicolas

its difficult to make a watch with "a hole  on the dial"that appeal to me ,but somehow it works her.

The idea of slimness and elegance is delivered.

Thank you Nico for the report but the article should have been much better without the picture of Pt n1(skeleton),that watch is so ugly.

Mo

Agreed, this watcxh is on the top of my wish list of ugly watches.



Best, my friend.

Nicolas

thats what happens when a watch is so ugly.

Mo

And that is certainly why we are all running after...

Best,

Nicolas

sit on that river bed and wait...it wll pass one day.......be ready....

Mo

But when I knew that its previous owner was " killed " by the taxman, I preferrd to pass on it...

I am superstitious.



Best,

Nicolas

If it will appear again,call me I am not that superstitious...or i will happily deal with the consequences......
Mo

so which one is more important, the result of the actual Tourbillon or

finishing and decoration?

I believe most people do concern about finishing very much

hmmmm....

best,

Ed

but too bad, JLC has not make a very well finished calibre,

I wonder do you need compromise,

where accuracy is more important,

or the beauty is more important,

If you want an extremely well finished JLC tourbillon, then this one is for you, beautiful and extremely accurate:





Well, this is another story...



Best,

Nicolas

My ..Nico they look like candies,,,,so nice.My compliments.
Mo

Mo

Let some nice stuffs to the others...

))

All the best,

Nicolas

I think it's good that JLC go down in size! Not everybody likes lugs that goes outside your wrist...

As for the MUT Tourbillon - a stunning piece!

But as after reading several opinion about "hole" in the dial...

I have to agree.

Personally I love the PL no. 2!

A Horological dream...

 

Thank you for the share, my friend

 

Best

Blomman

And I have to say that this is not my  favourite configuration...

I much prefer the Tourbillon in the case back, or when the Tourbillon is part of rthe dial ( Reverso Pt Nr 2 / GP Tourbillon 3 GBs / Gyro I, II, and Sphero ).

Best, and thanks for your input, Blomman.

Nicolas

smaller sizes is good news and platinum 2 an absolute dream

What a relief!

An elegant watch which makes me think about the GP 1966 Tourbillon in a sense. A solid offer for a classic Tourbillon.

Thanks for the presentation.

Fx

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Thanks for the review, Amanico.

You did not mention any data or figures about this watch's accuracy.

The Tourbillion Date 39 has the cal 978 which won the comp.

Is the new movement, 982, any better ?

Do you have any data from JLC on this issue?

I am trying to decide between the two.

Thanks

Tri

There is, at  the exception of the date, no difference between the Cal 978 and the Cal 982. It is not better, nor worse.

You will only have to choose between the date or the no date tourbillon, it is just a matter of taste, your taste.

All the best, and bravo for your future choice!

Nicolas

...I must say I am really liking this case shape. I love it no matter what complication is put inside it. Ever so graceful. The SIHH 2012 pieces are yet to be delivered and now I am thinking about what 2013 may bring already.

And as usual, I find your history recap very convenient, informative and illustrative. I wouldn't be surprised if you are in the teaching profession. You do a great job every time there is a review like this.

Ruckdee

Dear all, this is my first post and would like to share with you a close up video of this fine movement uploaded on youtube :

www.youtube.com

oh, great review - thanks!

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